Another Alter-G session

I was back in the Alter-G during today's PT session.

Today I did:
5 minutes run at 9.0 followed by 1 minute walk at 4.5 at 70% of my body weight x4 (24 minutes total)
5 minutes run at 9.0 followed by 1 minute walk at 4.5 at 75% of my body weight (6 minutes total)

Total time was 30 minutes and over 4 miles.  I'm happy with that for today.  It was a good increase over last week's 60% body weight.  Everything still feels good and it gives me hope for what's to come.

One of my run intervals

Back in the Alter-G

Today marks 9 weeks since the operation.  At this afternoon's PT session, I got to start back in the Alter-G treadmill.  I believe this treadmill was instrumental in my recovery last year, and I'm happy to be back in it again.  (I also used it this past winter when I had shin splints after Dopey, so it's no stranger to me).  Last year, it was exactly 9 weeks post-op that I first started in it, so I knew there was no reason I couldn't do it today.  Physically, I feel better and stronger than I did at this point last year.

We started off at a conservative 60% of my body weight.  I ran for 2 minutes at 9.0 and then walked for 2 minutes at 4.5 and repeated this cycle until I got to 20 minutes.  Then I ran for the final 6 minutes for a total of 26 minutes and over 3 miles. 

It felt effortless and natural to run (as natural as it can when you are strapped into the treadmill).  I had no pain and have felt fine all afternoon.  I'm pretty confident we will continue to increase my body weight percentage at my sessions next week and that it's only a few more weeks until I am back outside running again!

Transitioning into a run

Enjoying pain-free movement

Yoga for runners

Since my second hip surgery, I am trying to be even better about cross training and strength training than I was before.  I don't think I was bad to begin with, but I know there is always room for improvement.  I don't want to fall back into just running endless miles day after day (once I can actually start running again, of course).  For some time, I have intended to incorporate yoga into my routine -- especially yoga geared toward runners.  I'm not looking for anything crazy but I think there are definite benefits to increasing flexibility and getting a good stretch.  Years ago, I used to do yoga fairly regularly (I even taught some classes) and always loved how it made me feel.

I ordered a yoga for runners DVD offering 3 short (20 minute) yoga workouts.  Since I am in PA for a few days this week, I thought it would be a great time to try it out with Piper since she does yoga at her girls summer camp.  She didn't love the session but she was a trooper about following it through to the end.  I enjoyed it and think it will be a nice supplement for my running.

Two yogis getting a good stretch